Hi, I have a 1995 Honda Accord with 101,000 miles on it. I don't think the timing belt has ever been replaced. Do you all have any tips, tricks, tool suggestions, etc. for replacing the timing belts? It is a non-VTEC SOHC. I am fairly mechanically inclined but like to know what I'm getting myself into. Also, should I go ahead and replace the timing belt tensioner, balance shaft tensioner, and water pump, or wait and inspect them when I tear into it. Finally, what brands of parts have you all had good luck with?

Thanks so much,

Charley

 

you will have to remove the motor mount on that side and remove the cover
you will also need some refrence to tell you how to time it correctly if you don't watch what you are doing
everyone always says to replace the water pump when doing the belt and I also suggest changing the timing balancer belt, the other things I would inspect and check for wear
you can never go wrong with OEM parts
I don't know of any paticularly special tools besides a pulley holder for the crankshaft pulley and a torque wrench, I would suggfest having a large selection of tools though

 

My shade-tree mechanic skills are getting up there, but I've yet to change a timing belt. I can imagine it'd be a super-bitch to do. I really enjoy working on my car, but when my timing belt change inevitably comes up, I'll probably have a shop do it. Timing is one thing you do not want to screw up. I would not tackle any motor work that could conceivably destroy the motor like that without at least someone that's done it before helping me. Like if you get the tensioner wrong and the belt slips you could get valve-piston contact (actually I don't even know which, if any or all, Honda motors have valve-piston interference tolerances). All I can say is if you've got 100K on that belt you'd better get it replaced immediately.

 

You can get the belts and water pump from http://www.manhonda.com I just ordered mine from there, and I have ordered parts from them in the past, great place. I agree with every one elso on the timing belt being too much of a pain to do it yourself. You might also want to replace the front main seal, mine has had a slow leak for the past 20-30 thousand miles, its cheap too

 

ttt